March 2019

5 Best Uncommonly Good Chicken Salads

Despite how incredible a super-basic chicken salad sandwich can be, we love when we stumble across versions that are made with more unexpected ingredients. Here are our five favorite spins on a lunchtime classic.

By Katie Pollock Estes

Nov 2017

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Photo by Vivian Wheeler

1. Curry Chicken SaladTea Bar & Bites, 417-866-7500
The Standout Ingredient: curry
Why We Love It: Whoever decided to try putting curry powder in chicken salad was onto something. This chicken salad is made with a creamy and flavorful curry dressing that is curiously addictive. The chicken is cut into hefty cubes, and it’s mixed with toasted pecans and celery. That means every bite has tons of texture. You can order it on nine-grain bread or salad greens; we prefer the greens.
Order it With: The soup of the day

2. Tarragon Chicken SaladDerby Deli, 417-883-4066
The Standout Ingredient: tarragon
Why We Love It: This is overall a pretty classic chicken salad, but the amount of tarragon used is more than most, and that fragrant herb lends an addictive flavor to the dish. It’s perfect for chicken salad fans who don’t like a single nibble of sweetness in their meal. It comes on a sandwich with bacon, lettuce and tomato on toasted wheatberry bread, or order it atop the Simply Greens salad
Order it With: Billy Goat Chips

4. The Chicken SaladThe Sub Shop, 417-887-3804
The Standout Ingredient: cashews
Why We Love It: A fairly classic chicken salad recipe at its base, this sandwich from Sub Shop gets its fruity sweetness from cool Mandarin oranges that are mixed in. But here’s a pro tip: Ask to add cashews to the mix for a very Springfield-ish crunch.
Order it With: a chocolate chip cookie

5. Chicken SaladBeth’s Bake Shoppe & Tea Room, 417-866-5533The Standout Ingredient: cinnamon raisin breadWhy We Love It: Chicken? Check. Grapes for sweetness? Check. Pecans for crunch? Check. This chicken salad sandwich has all the traditional ingredients on the inside. It’s what is on the outside that makes it so irresistible. It is served on sweet and crispy toasted cinnamon raisin bread. Order it With: a gooey butter cookie